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Electronic Resources

Library Catalogs

Local Catalog

Merlin is the shared catalog of NWLS libraries. With a library card patrons can directly request, renew, and can check the status of items either checked out or on hold.State CatalogWISCAT is the Wisconsin library catalog that can be browsed when the Merlin catalog doesn't have what you're looking for. Contact your librarian to request items from WISCAT.

International CatalogWorldCatis a worldwide catalog of library collections that includes more than 67 million bibliographic records with items in many different formats. Patrons can access this database at any library or at home with a user-friendly search page .

Wisconsin's Digital Library Catalog

Wisconsin's Digital Library offers a catalog (and one for youth) of downloadable ebooks, videos, music and audiobooks that can be reserved and/or checked out on your library card. To get started, click on the Help link, visit the OverDrive Help Center or watch the Help Videos (each selection will open a Playlist series to the right of the video). Here's 12 Tips for getting the most out of the app.

Library Databases

The following online databases provide a wealth of information in a variety of formats. Some of the databases may require a password, available at your local library, or access may be limited to in-library use.

Genealogy Database

Ancestry Library Edition is an extensive library genealogy research tool. Access is limited to in-library use at any NWLS library. Promotional training materials are available.

Discovery Databases

BadgerLink* offers Wisconsin residents access to business, health, literature, magazines, newspapers, auto repair, and science and technology resources, and many are available in full-text. Magazine coverage ranges from the popular to the academic. A promotional flyer (PDF) is available. For more information about the EBSCO databases in BadgerLink, visit the online support center. If you are unable to access any BadgerLink database, log in using the Library Card Access page. Instructional guides are available to help you explore some of the valuable BadgerLink resources.

The following databases are among the many resources available through Badgerlink:

Auto Repair Reference Center - Repair manuals for most major manufacturers of domestic and imported vehicles, with repair information for most vintage makes starting as far back as 1954.

HeritageQuest - Research ancestors and historical sources dating back to the 1700s.

MasterFILE Premier- A general reference database with nearly 1,700 publications with full text information dating as far back as 1975. Accessed in BadgerLink's Database List.

NoveList - A readers' advisory database with over 150,000 fiction titles, and over 4000 custom created articles and lists. Access Feature Articles, BookTalks, and Book Discussion Guides along with Author Read-alikes, Readers' Advisory training content and a variety of other reader materials.

TeachingBooks.net - Thousands of resources for k-12 multimedia fiction and nonfiction reading activities for educators, librarians, students and families supporting language arts, book clubs, art educators, social studies and much more.

LearningExpress Library is a learning center for people of all ages and education levels interested in acquiring extra skills for school or work.

*BadgerLink is a project of the Department of Public Instruction's Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning for the citizens of Wisconsin. Funding is provided through the Public Service Commission Universal Service Fund.

Digital Learn offers self-directed training modules for learning computer basics and searching online for employment. Technology training materials are provided by an online community of digital literacy trainers. Content is available in Spanish (click the “Español” link at the top.)

GCFLearnFree.org offers learning tools to improve literacy, technology, and math skills needed to be successful in both work and life.